JunkMadLove
Entrepreneur Seija Turunen owns JunkMadLove, a recycling shop located in the historic Fortress of Lappeenranta. Turunen opened her own brick-and-mortar store on March 1, 2025. The shop offers a wide variety of charming decorative items and small, home-friendly pieces, along with larger furniture like cabinets, chairs, and tables. At JunkMadLove, nothing sold is brand new. Instead, the entrepreneur focuses on unique, recycled, and upcycled items—many of which are nearly or even fully made from reused materials.
“It’s kind of like a general store—just without clothes and food,” Turunen laughs.
A Passion Turned Profession
The idea of starting her own business gradually took shape while Turunen was still working her old salaried job. She has always had a deep appreciation for recycling and vintage items, so turning a beloved hobby into a business felt like a natural next step.
“Things used to be made beautifully and to last. Today, there’s just so much stuff in the world, and even more is being made all the time. It’s worth stopping to think—do we really need something new, or could we reuse what we already have?” Turunen reflects.
“I want these old items to continue their lifecycle, to live again. That’s why I restore and want to give them a new purpose.”
Turunen had no prior experience in entrepreneurship, nor did she have entrepreneurs in her immediate circle — so starting a business was a bold leap into the unknown. Her love for recycling and strong desire to raise awareness about sustainability motivated her to study entrepreneurship and take part in relevant training programs.
“I attended entrepreneurship courses offered by the employment office, where I learned the basics and got more familiar with the key concepts. I also connected with Lappeenranta’s business services, where we went over things like financial planning, and I received support with the practical steps of setting up a company.”
“I believe it's important to make the most of the free services available. Through the city’s business services, I accessed their expert network and even got free consultations from a marketing agency and a law firm.”
In March 2025, JunkMadLove became a Greenreality partner, strengthening Turunen’s mission to promote recycling and inspire others to embrace it too.
JunkMadLove — Mad About Junk
For Turunen, the most rewarding part of starting her own business has been meeting customers. The store is located in a historic building at Katariina Square, formerly Kristiina’s Workhouse, giving it a unique atmosphere that draws in both tourists and locals. The Fortress area is a well-known travel destination, and since many historical buildings aren’t open to the public Turunen’s authentic shop space sparks particular interest and admiration.
“Many people come in to just see the store and the beautiful old tiled stove inside. This building was constructed in the 1890s, and every corner is full of fascinating history,” Turunen says.
She also enjoys sharing tips with customers on how to extend the life of their own items or repurpose things in creative ways. Sometimes a customer comes in with a particular problem, and Turunen is happy to help them find a solution using what they already own. It brings her joy to see customers leave with new ideas and inspiration for their homes.
Supporting Each Other — The Strength in Community
One of the more unexpectedly challenging parts of starting a business, Turunen recalls, was coming up with a name for the business. It took time and careful consideration, but once the name came to her, it felt just right.
“I mean, I am mad about junk—just like the name suggests!” she says with a smile.
Turunen encourages new entrepreneurs to carefully consider which business structure suits them best and to discuss options with professionals before making a decision. She also emphasizes the value of entrepreneurship training programs, which help build confidence and a solid understanding of the basics.
According to her, it’s important to seek help when needed and to keep learning in order to enter entrepreneurship well prepared.
Networking, she says, is absolutely essential, and worth investing in. A great example of this was the Halkosaari Vintage Flea Market pop-up event held in June 2025, which Turunen organized together with other local second-hand and vintage sellers. The event turned out to be a huge success and was warmly received by the attendees.
“You don’t always need massive, world-changing events. Smaller pop-up events can also lead to meaningful results and open up new opportunities for collaboration. Plus, they bring good vibes for everyone involved,” Turunen notes.
Follow JunkMadLove's social media accounts:
https://www.instagram.com/junkmadlove/
